It’s Sunday and it’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re closing in on two weeks from the March 21 trade deadline. That means the NHL rumours will be flying. Teams will be making players available and others will try to snap them up. Today’s set of rumours focus on the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals.
All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman on his recent 32 Thoughts podcast said that Andrew Copp will draw interest at the trade deadline.
Quick 30-minute 32 Thoughts interview pod with Slovak Olympic breakout scorer (and 2022 draft high-level prospect) Juraj Slafkovsky: https://t.co/tPpqf3s2xo Enjoy!
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 2, 2022
Analysis: Friedman said that the Colorado Avalanche are looking for a centre and it could a chance to audition him before signing him in the off-season. There’s some uncertainty that Nazem Kadri will return to the Avalanche and will want to test the open market. It’s been a banner season for Kadri and he’ll get a nice contract from someone if Colorado can’t pony up.
Copp is an unrestricted free agent just like Kadri is, but his number might be more manageable. He gambled on himself with a one-year deal worth $3.64 million this season. The Ann Arbor, Mich. native has been a consistent double-digit goal-scorer for Winnipeg. He’s also been a solid centre win it comes to winning faceoffs.
The 27-year-old likely has more teams than Colorado interested in him. However, it seems to be a good fit and a chance to land on a Stanley Cup contender.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada said that Max Comtois could be available.
HNIC 32 Thoughts: UFA negotiations/PHI watches FLA AHLers/Max Comtois/VAN/Shea Weber/Draft/Jack McBain going to market?/Toronto Six ownership: https://t.co/NpKMjFRnru
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 6, 2022
Analysis: Comtois seems to be the odd man out of Dallas Eakins‘ lineup. Sonny Milano and Sam Steel have solidified their places on the left side of the Ducks’ forwards. Comtois has been scratched recently, so there’s uncertainty with his future.
The 23-year-old was the team’s leading scorer last season with 16 in 55 games. However, his production and ice time have dipped this season. Comtois would be a good scorer and for a team looking to give him a chance. He makes just over $2 million per season and is trying to maximize his value.
New General Manager Pat Verbeek has enough to worry about in trying to lock in Hampus Lindholm to a new contract. Anaheim could get something for Comtois, but it seems kind of rash to give up on a young scorer is a team full of young talent like Trevor Zegras.
Washington Capitals
Rumour: The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir talked to Capitals GM Brian MacLellan about the team’s trade deadline plans.
#Caps GM Brian MacLellan spoke to reporters today and was asked about a wide variety of matters, ranging from Carl Hagelin’s significant eye injury and Alex Ovechkin to Anthony Mantha’s updated timeline and the team’s trade deadline plans. My takeaways: https://t.co/15uk5fhMPC
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) March 3, 2022
Analysis: Washington is in a dog fight with the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins for the Metropolitan Division. All these teams will likely be trying to upgrade their respect lineups. The Capitals will probably do the same.
One thing MacLellan mentioned is to try and get some veteran cover in goal. Washington has a young duo of Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, who have played well in spots. However, adding an experienced backup will give them a boost in case of injury.
The Capitals will also be in the market for a middle-six forward to give the team depth. Washington has always gotten production from stars like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. However, they’d love someone to give them some extra help. Washington’s defence is said to be set according to the team’s general manager.
MacLellan added the Capitals aren’t interested in the rental market. They want a player with term so they don’t have to worry about losing the player in the off-season. He also indicated somewhat of a youth movement because he didn’t want to trade too many prospects. The Caps GM said they’ll likely have those prospects from AHL Hershey playing for the big club soon.
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